Grafton Group is sponsoring Sunderland Association Football Club’s Dublin to Sunderland Cycle Challenge. Now in its second year, the event will see more than 30 riders set off from the Irish capital tomorrow (5 June) and arrive in Sunderland on Sunday.

Gavin Slark, Sunderland-born chief executive of Grafton, is taking part for the second time. “I’m not really sure how it came about, to be honest,” he said. “It seemed like a good idea at the time. What I was pleasantly surprised by was how many people in the company said ‘I’ll do that’. This year we have got eight or 10 people taking part.”

Places are still available for the final 50 miles of the challenge, with riders joining the team at Alston to ride to Sunderland. Riders are required to place a £50 deposit and pledge to raise a further £100. Contact the Foundation of Light on 551 5191 for further information.